Americans beat Costa Rica 1-0 in snow storm

Costa Rica defender Giancarlo Gonzalez, left, pulls the jersey of United States forward Clint Dempsey (8) during the first half of a World Cup qualifier soccer match in Commerce City, Colo., Friday, March 22, 2013. AP

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Clint Dempsey scored early in his first match as United States captain as the Americans beat Costa Rica 1-0 on Friday in a key qualifier for next year’s World Cup played at times in heavy snow.

Plows and shovels were used to clear snow from the penalty areas, center circle and midfield stripe and a yellow-and-purple ball was used. There was even a brief stoppage in the 55th minute when it was unclear whether the match commissioner would let the contest continue.

The game resumed and as the snow increased, it made the field resemble a cake topped with piles of sugar, and players’ hair turned white as snow stuck along their scalps.